Information processing apparatus, control method, and storage medium

ABSTRACT

An information processing apparatus includes a display control unit that performs control to display, on a touch display, a first graphical user interface (GUI) corresponding to a task and to display a second GUI different from the first GUI in a case where a touch-down operation on the first GUI has been performed, and to perform control, in a case where a continuing operation has started following the touch-down operation, to sequentially display a plurality of setting values different in type with respect to the task based on an amount of continuation of the continuing operation before the continuing operation is completed, and a task control unit that performs control to execute the task in a case where the continuing operation has completed and not to execute the task in a case where a touch-up operation has been performed before the continuing operation is completed.

BACKGROUND Field

Aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to an informationprocessing apparatus, a control method, and a storage medium.

Description of the Related Art

Heretofore, apparatuses that accept an instruction for execution of atask in response to a user operation performed on a touch display inwhich a touch input unit (touch panel) and a display unit (display) areconfigured in an integral manner have appeared. Here, the term “task”refers to a unit of work or job to be performed by the function of anapparatus. In recent years, an apparatus that enables an instruction forexecution of a task in a given apparatus to be issued in response to auser operation performed on a tablet terminal connected forcommunication to the given apparatus has also appeared. The touchdisplay can timely display various functions or pieces of informationincluded in an apparatus as a graphical user interface (GUI). Since theuser can directly perform a touch operation on the GUI, the touchdisplay enables a manipulated input easily comprehensible and simple forthe user.

With respect to a user operation to be performed on a touch display,there is an issue that an unintended contact by the user (includingcontact other than a finger touch) with the display surface can cause atask to be executed or can cause the content (setting of variousfactors) of a task to be changed. To address this, Japanese UnexaminedPatent Application Publication (Translation of PCT Application) No.2009-521753 discusses a technique that moves an unlock image displayedon a touch display in response to a user operation and unlocks a devicewhen the unlock image has moved to a predetermined unlock area. JapanesePatent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-115787 also discusses a techniquethat displays a plurality of icons associated with different processingoperations around a touch position on a touch panel and displays anotherplurality of icons corresponding to the selected icon around the touchposition.

In the case of, for example, performing printing with a printer, aninstruction for execution of a task may be input with an erroneoussetting. For example, an instruction for execution of a task may beinput in a state in which the number of copies for printing differentfrom that intended by the user is set.

SUMMARY

Aspects of the present disclosure are generally directed to providing atechnique that executes a task intended by the user while, with anefficient and simple operation, preventing the task from being executedin response to a touch unintended by the user.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an informationprocessing apparatus includes a touch display, a display control unitconfigured to perform control to display, on the touch display, a firstgraphical user interface (GUI) corresponding to a task and to display,on the touch display, a second GUI different from the first GUI in acase where a touch-down operation on the first GUI has been performed,and to perform control, in a case where a continuing operation hasstarted following the touch-down operation, to sequentially display, onthe touch display, a plurality of setting values different in type withrespect to the task based on an amount of continuation of the continuingoperation before the continuing operation is completed, and a taskcontrol unit configured to perform control to execute the task in a casewhere the continuing operation has completed and not to execute the taskin a case where a touch-up operation has been performed before thecontinuing operation is completed.

Further features will become apparent from the following description ofexemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a multifunction peripheral according toa first exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a functional configuration diagram of an informationprocessing unit.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on atouch display.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on thetouch display.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating examples of screens displayedon the touch display.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating control processing.

FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C, and 7D are explanatory diagrams of modificationexamples.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are diagrams illustrating operation screens.

FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 9C are diagrams illustrating examples of a slider bar.

FIGS. 10A, 10B, and 10C are diagrams illustrating a screen transition ofoperation screens.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating control processing.

FIG. 12 is an overall view of an X-ray control system according to afourth exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on atouch display according to the fourth exemplary embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Various exemplary embodiments, features, and aspects of the disclosurewill be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a multifunction peripheral 100according to a first exemplary embodiment. The multifunction peripheral100 includes a printer 101, a scanner 102, a transmitting and receivingunit 105 (including a facsimile function), a controller 103, and acontrol apparatus 104. Here, the control apparatus 104 is an example ofan information processing apparatus. Moreover, the control apparatus 104includes a touch display 111 and an information processing unit 112. Thetouch display 111 includes a display unit 121 and a touch input unit122. The display unit 121 receives data from the information processingunit 112 and outputs (displays) the received data as an image. The touchinput unit 122 transmits a touch position of a touch performed by theuser to the information processing unit 112.

The information processing unit 112 includes a read-only memory (ROM)131, a random access memory (RAM) 132, and a central processing unit(CPU) 133. The information processing unit 112 is able to detect thefollowing operations performed on the touch input unit 122:

-   -   the operation in which a finger or pen has newly touched the        touch input unit 122 (hereinafter referred to as “touch-down”);    -   the operation in which a finger or pen is touching the touch        input unit 122 (hereinafter referred to as “touch-on”);    -   the operation in which a finger or pen is moving while touching        the touch input unit 122 (hereinafter referred to as “move”);    -   the operation in which a finger or pen, which has been touching        the touch input 122, has been separated from the touch input        unit 122 (hereinafter referred to as “touch-up”); and    -   the operation in which none is touching the touch input unit 122        (hereinafter referred to as “touch-off”).

Furthermore, a combination of one or a plurality of touch operationsincluding move is referred to as a touch gesture.

The information processing unit 112 further includes a positiondetection unit 135 and a timer 136. Furthermore, in the presentexemplary embodiment, the position detection unit 135 and the timer 136are assumed to be respective independent pieces of hardware. However, asanother example, the position detection unit 135 and the timer 136 canbe functional blocks which are formed by the CPU 133 reading out acomputer program from the ROM 131 and executing the computer program.

The CPU 133 reads out programs and data from the ROM 131 and performsprocessing using the RAM 132 as a work area memory, thus performingoperation control of the control apparatus 104. The CPU 133 receivesdata sent from the position detection unit 135 and writes informationcorresponding to the received data into the RAM 132. Moreover, the CPU133 transmits, to the display unit 121, display image data to bedisplayed on the display unit 121. Moreover, when completely receivinginformation required for task processing, the CPU 133 transmits thereceived information to the controller 103.

The position detection unit 135 detects a touch position of a touchperformed by the user on the touch input unit 122, and transmits aresult of detection to the CPU 133. The tinter 136 measures a time forwhich the user is touching a portion on the display screen of the touchinput unit 122.

The controller 103 performs operation control of the entiremultifunction peripheral 100. Moreover, the controller 103 performscommunication with the control apparatus 104 to receive task (work orjob to be performed by the function of the multifunction peripheral 100)information that is based on an instruction from the user and totransmit a result of execution or a status of progress of the task.Here, the term “task” refers to a unit of work or job to be performed bythe function of the multifunction peripheral 100. Examples of a task tobe performed by the multifunction peripheral 100 include printing,facsimile transmission, scanning and sending, and copying.

The printer 101 performs printing based on print information receivedfrom the controller 103. The scanner 102 scans an original and transmitsimage data about the scanned original to the controller 103. Thetransmitting and receiving unit 105 converts data received via acommunication line into print information (via the controller 103) to beoutput as a print from the printer 101, or transmits image data about anoriginal scanned by the scanner 102 to a destination designated by thecontroller 103.

Furthermore, in the present exemplary embodiment, the control apparatus104 is assumed to be provided integrally with an apparatus whichexecutes a task (task execution apparatus), such as the printer 101, thescanner 102, and the transmitting and receiving unit 105, as themultifunction peripheral 100. However, as another example, the controlapparatus 104 can be independently provided as an apparatus separatefrom the task execution apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a functional configuration diagram of the informationprocessing unit 112. The information processing unit 112 includes areception unit 201, a display control unit 202, and a task control unit203. The reception unit 201 receives various pieces of information viathe touch input unit 122. The display control unit 202 causes thedisplay unit 121 to display a display image corresponding to displayimage data. The task control unit 203 controls execution of a taskperformed by the multifunction peripheral 100.

FIG. 3 to FIGS. 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating examples of screensdisplayed on the touch display 111 of the control apparatus 104. Asillustrated in FIG. 3, an operation screen 300 which is used for theuser to input an instruction for execution of a task is displayed on thetouch display 111. A plurality of buttons respectively corresponding toa plurality of tasks which the multifunction peripheral 100 is able toexecute is displayed in the operation screen 300. Four task buttons 301respectively corresponding to four tasks, i.e., “hold printing”,“facsimile transmission”, “scanning and sending”, and “copying”, aredisplayed in the operation screen 300 illustrated in FIG. 3. Here, eachtask button 301 is an example of a first graphical user interface (GUI)corresponding to the task. In the present exemplary embodiment, the typeof a task and information indicating a part of setting values concerningthe task are displayed within a frame of the task button 301. Here, thetask button 301 is an example of a button image, and the button image isan example of the first GUI. Moreover, “facsimile transmission” and“scanning and sending” are examples of a task of data transmission.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an operation screen 300 displayed in acase where, in the operation screen 300 illustrated in FIG. 3, atouch-down operation (touch operation) has been performed on one taskbutton 301 by the user. When the touch operation is performed, asillustrated in FIG. 4, a slider bar 302 is displayed next to the taskbutton 301 touched by the user and, moreover, a start button 303 isdisplayed. Furthermore, the start button 303 is displayed at a positionadjacent to an end portion of the slider bar 302 at the side opposite tothe task button 301. At this time, the CPU 133 sets task buttons 301other than the task button 301 touched by the user unselectable, i.e.,grayed out.

In the operation screen 300 illustrated in FIG. 4, the user performs amove operation (movement operation) of the finger H, serving as anoperation element, along the slider bar 302 from the task button 301toward the start button 303. As illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B, a firstpop-up screen 311 is displayed according to the movement amount(movement distance) of the move operation, and, then, a second pop-upscreen 312 is sequentially displayed. Setting values of the taskcorresponding to the selected task button 301 are displayed in each ofthe pop-up screens 311 and 312. Here, the term “pop-up screen” refers toa GUI which is displayed in such a way as to pop up. In the exampleillustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B, two types of setting values “number ofaddressees” and “addressees” with respect to the task of “scanning andsending” are displayed in the first pop-up screen 311. Moreover, twotypes of setting values “color” and “one-sided” with respect to the taskof “scanning and sending” are displayed in the second pop-up screen 312.In this way, different types of setting values are displayed in therespective pop-up screens.

When the move operation is further continued by the user and, then, theposition of the finger H arrives at the start button 303, the CPU 133receives an instruction for execution of the type of task correspondingto the selected task button 301. Then, the CPU 133 performs control toexecute the task. Specifically, the CPU 133 issues an execution commandto execute the task to the controller 103. With this, in the exampleillustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the task of “scanning and sending” isexecuted.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the CPU 133 performs control todisplay the first pop-up screen 311 in a case where the movement amountin the move operation from the position at which the touch-downoperation has been performed has reached a first movement amount. TheCPU 133 further performs control to display the second pop-up screen 312in a case where the movement amount has reached a second movementamount. Here, the first movement amount and the second movement amountare predetermined movement amounts, and the second movement amount isassumed to be larger in value than the first movement amount.

Moreover, in the present exemplary embodiment, the CPU 133 displays, inthe operation screen 300, task buttons 301 as GUIs each for receiving aninstruction for execution of a task. This enables the user tointuitively understand that it is possible to select a task button 301by performing a touch-down operation on the task button 301.Furthermore, since a GUI which is displayed when the task button 301 hasbeen selected is the slider bar 302, the user can intuitively understandthe necessity of performing a move operation along the slider bar 302.In this way, in the control apparatus 104 according to the presentexemplary embodiment, even when not understanding the operationprocedure, the user can intuitively operate a GUI to perform appropriateinputting of an instruction. Furthermore, the move operation is anoperation that is continuously performed, and is an example of acontinuing operation. Moreover, the slider bar 302 is an example of animage indicating a path of the continuing operation, and an imageindicating the path is an example of a second GUI.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating control processing which is performedby the control apparatus 104. In step S601, the display control unit 202performs control to display a plurality of task buttons 301 on the touchdisplay 111. Next, in step S602, the reception unit 201 checks whether atask button 301 has been selected by the user. In a case where atouch-down operation has been performed on a task button 301, thereception unit 201 determines that a task button 301 has been selected.The reception unit 201 waits until a task button 301 is selected, and,if it is determined that a task button 301 has been selected (YES instep S602), the reception unit 201 advances the processing to step S603.In step S603, the display control unit 202 performs control to display aslider bar and a start button at positions corresponding to the selectedtask button 301. Furthermore, the reason why, in this way, a slider barand a start button corresponding to each task button are not displayedat the time of processing in step S601 is that a display area may beoccupied by displaying of them and the number of task buttons able to bedisplayed may be restricted.

After processing in step S603, then in step S604, the reception unit 201checks whether a move operation has been performed along the slider barfollowing the touch-down operation. If it is determined that themovement operation has been performed (YES in step S604), the receptionunit 201 advances the processing to step S605. If it is determined thatthe movement operation has not been performed (NO in step S604), thereception unit 201 advances the processing to step S608. In step S605,the display control unit 202 performs control to display a pop-up screenaccording to the movement amount of the move operation. Here, the pop-upscreen is a screen indicating setting values set to the selected task,as mentioned with reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B. For example, the displaycontrol unit 202 performs control to display the first pop-up screen 311when the movement amount has reached a first movement amount and todisplay the second pop-up screen 312 when the movement amount hasreached a second movement amount. Here, the first movement amount andthe second movement amount are predetermined movement amounts, and thesecond movement amount is assumed to be larger in value than the firstmovement amount.

Next, in step S606, the reception unit 201 checks whether the operationposition of the move operation has arrived at the start button 303. Ifit is determined that the operation position has arrived at the startbutton 303 (YES in step S606), the reception unit 201 determines that aninstruction for execution of a task has been received and then advancesthe processing to step S607. If it is determined that the operationposition has not arrived at the start button 303 (NO in step S606), thereception unit 201 advances the processing to step S608. In step S607,the task control unit 203 performs control to execute a taskcorresponding to the selected task button 301. Specifically, the taskcontrol unit 203 issues an execution command for executing the task tothe controller 103. Then, the control processing ends.

On the other hand, in step S608, the reception unit 201 checks whether atouch-up operation has been performed. If it is determined that thetouch-up operation has been performed (YES in step S608), the receptionunit 201 returns the processing to step S601. With this, when thetouch-up operation has been performed, the task control unit 203performs control not to execute a task. Furthermore, in a case where,when it is determined that the touch-up operation has been performed, aslider bar, a start button, and a pop-up screen have already beendisplayed, the reception unit 201 causes the display control unit 202 tostop displaying of them and then returns the processing to step S601.Moreover, if it is determined that the touch-up operation has not beenperformed (NO in step S608), the reception unit 201 returns theprocessing to step S604.

As described above, the control apparatus 104 according to the presentexemplary embodiment receives an instruction for execution of a task onthe condition that a move operation has been performed following atouch-down operation. This enables preventing an instruction forexecution of a task from being input due to an unintended touch.Moreover, during a period until a move operation is completed, thecontrol apparatus 104 sequentially displays a plurality of settingvalues of a task according to the movement amount in the move operation.Furthermore, in a case where a touch-up operation has been performedbefore the move operation is completed, the control apparatus 104performs control not to execute a task. Accordingly, prior to the moveoperation being completed, the user can check whether no task isexecuted with unintended settings. Furthermore, in a case where thesetting values are not intended values, the user can perform a touch-upoperation to stop inputting of an instruction for execution.

In this way, the multifunction peripheral 100 according to the presentexemplary embodiment can execute a task intended by the user while, withan efficient and simple operation, preventing the task from beingexecuted in response to a touch unintended by the user.

Furthermore, as a first modification example of the first exemplaryembodiment, a touch display and an apparatus for executing a task can berespective different apparatuses. For example, a first apparatus isassumed to include a touch display and to receive an instruction forexecution of a task which is executable by a second apparatus. In thiscase, task buttons respectively corresponding to a plurality of tasksexecutable by the second apparatus are displayed on the touch display.Then, in a case where a task has been selected in response to a useroperation performed on the touch display, the first apparatus only needsto transmit an execution command for the selected task to the secondapparatus.

As a second modification example, the number of pop-up screens which thecontrol apparatus 104 displays is not limited to that in the presentexemplary embodiment, and the control apparatus 104 can display three ormore pop-up screens.

As a third modification example, the control apparatus 104 can controldisplaying of pop-up screens according to the duration time of a moveoperation instead of the movement amount of a move operation. Forexample, in a case where the duration time of a move operation hasreached a first time, the control apparatus 104 performs control todisplay the first pop-up screen 311. Then, in a case where the durationtime has reached a second time, the control apparatus 104 performscontrol to display the second pop-up screen 312. Here, the first timeand the second time are predetermined times, and the second time isassumed to be larger in value than the first time. Here, the moveoperation is an example of a continuing operation, and each of themovement amount and the duration time in the move operation is anexample of a continuation amount of the continuing operation.

Moreover, the control apparatus 104 can be configured to also controlexecution of a task according to the duration time of a move operationinstead of the movement amount in a move operation. In the presentexemplary embodiment, the control apparatus 104 determines that a moveoperation serving as a continuing operation has completed, based on thefinger H being moved from a task button to a start button and thusperforms control to execute a task. In other words, the controlapparatus 104 controls execution of a task according to the movementamount. Instead of this, for example, in a case where the duration timeof a move operation from a task button has exceeded a given time, thecontrol apparatus 104 can determine that the move operation hascompleted and thus perform control to execute a task. In this case, thecontrol apparatus 104 can perform control to display only a slider barserving as a guide for the move operation and not to display a startbutton serving as an arrival point of the move operation.

As a fourth modification example, as illustrated in FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C,and 7D, when a task button has been selected, the control apparatus 104can perform control to gradually display a slider bar from a startposition toward an end position according to the movement of position ofthe finger H in the move operation. When a task button 301 is selectedby the user, as illustrated in FIG. 7A, a slider bar 302 begins toextend from the selected task button 301 toward a position in which astart button 303 is to be displayed. Furthermore, in this instance, thestart button 303 is not yet displayed. Moreover, the slider bar 302further extends as illustrated in FIG. 7B, the start button 303gradually appears as illustrated in FIG. 7C, and, finally, up to theright end of the start button 303 is displayed as illustrated in FIG.7D. Furthermore, a period of time from the start of displaying of theslider bar 302 to displaying of up to the right end of the start button303 is assumed to be a short time such as one second. Furthermore, thecontrol apparatus 104 can perform displaying from the start ofdisplaying of the slider bar 302 to displaying of the start button 303by switching a plurality of still images, or, as another example, bycontinuously using a moving image.

With displaying performed in this way, the user easily becomes awarethat a slider bar 302 has newly been displayed. Moreover, a change ofdisplaying of the slider bar 302 enables displaying how to perform anoperation in the move operation in a more easily understandable way. Forexample, in the example illustrated in FIGS. 7A to 7D, since the sliderbar 302 becomes extended from the task button 301 toward the startbutton 303, the user can easily understand that the user only needs toperform the move operation along the direction in which the slider bar302 becomes extended.

As a fifth modification example, the control apparatus 104 only needs todisplay a slider bar and a start button in association with at least oneof a plurality of task buttons displayed in an operation screen. Then,with regard to the other task buttons, the control apparatus 104 canstart performing control to execute a task on the condition that atouch-down operation has been performed. For example, with regard to atask which needs careful determination, the control apparatus 104 canperform control to display, for example, a slider bar, and, with regardto a task which does not careful determination, the control apparatus104 can perform control not to display, for example, a slider bar.

Next, with regard to a multifunction peripheral 100 according to asecond exemplary embodiment, differences thereof from the multifunctionperipheral 100 according to the first exemplary embodiment aredescribed. Each of FIGS. 8A and 8B is a diagram illustrating anoperation screen 800 which is displayed on the touch display 111according to the second exemplary embodiment. As with the operationscreen 300, a plurality of task buttons 801 is displayed in theoperation screen 800. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 8A, a taskbutton 801 of “copying” is assumed to have been selected. In this case,similar to that described in the first exemplary embodiment, the controlapparatus 104 displays a linear slider bar 802, which becomes extendedin the horizontal direction in the screen, and also displays a startbutton 803 at the end of the slider bar 802. On the other hand, asillustrated in FIG. 8B, a task button 801 of “scanning and sending” isassumed to have been selected. In this case, the control apparatus 104displays a wavy slider bar 812 and also displays a start button 813 atthe end of the slider bar 812. Here, the slider bar 802 and the sliderbar 812 differ in shape and length.

In this way, the control apparatus 104 according to the second exemplaryembodiment displays one of slider bars different in shape and lengthaccording to the type of a task. Furthermore, as another example, thecontrol apparatus 104 only needs to display one of slider bars differentin at least one of shape and length according to the type of a task, andthe shape and length of a slider bar are not limited to those in thepresent exemplary embodiment. FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 9C are diagramsillustrating examples of slider bars different in shape, length, anddirection of operation.

Furthermore, the task “scanning and sending” needs more careful controlof execution of a task than the task “copying”. To address this issue,in the present exemplary embodiment, the wavy slider bar 812, whichrequires a careful operation, is associated with the task “scanning andsending”, which requires careful determination in executing a task. Thisenables appropriately associating a user operation and the content of atask with each other.

Here, examples of the content of a task include, besides the types oftasks such as “copying” and “printing”, the large or small magnitude ofnumerical quantity such as the number of copies for printing in the sametask, the large or small length of time required for execution of atask, the large or small number of setting items, and the large or smallmagnitude of arising cost. Moreover, further examples of the content ofa task include the distinction between the inside and outside of thecompany or between the inside and outside of the country with respect toan addressee and the high or low importance previously determinedaccording to the type of a function. Moreover, examples of a useroperation corresponding to the content of a task include, with regard tocopying, performing a user operation corresponding to a slider barhaving a length corresponding to the number of copies. Moreover, asanother example, examples of such a user operation include performing auser operation corresponding to a slider bar the length of which islarger or the shape of which is more complicated in a case where theaddressee of “facsimile transmission” is the outside of the company thanin in a case where the addressee of “facsimile transmission” is theinside of the company. Furthermore, the configurations and processingoperations other than those described above of the multifunctionperipheral 100 according to the second exemplary embodiment are similarto the corresponding configurations and processing operations of themultifunction peripheral 100 according to the first exemplaryembodiment.

Next, with regard to a multifunction peripheral 100 according to a thirdexemplary embodiment, differences thereof from the multifunctionperipherals 100 according to the other exemplary embodiments aredescribed. In the third exemplary embodiment, the user can select a taskbutton and then change setting values, which the user has confirmedduring a move operation. FIGS. 10A, 10B, and 10C are diagramsillustrating a screen transition of an operation screen 1000 accordingto the third exemplary embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 10A, four taskbuttons 1001 are displayed in the operation screen 1000, as in theoperation screens described in the other exemplary embodiments.Moreover, in the example illustrated in FIG. 10A, a slider bar 1002 anda start button 1003 are also displayed in association with a touch-downoperation being performed on the task button 1001 of “hold printing”. Inthe example illustrated in FIG. 10A, a pop-up screen 1011 is alsodisplayed according to a move operation performed following thetouch-down operation.

Here, when wanting to change the setting value “number of copies: 30copies” displayed in the pop-up screen 1011 to “1 copy”, the userperforms a touch-up operation with the pop-up screen 1011 keptdisplayed. With this, as illustrated in FIG. 10B, an input screen 1020is displayed in the operation screen 1000, and the slider bar 1002 andthe start button 1003 are grayed out. A software numeric keypad isdisplayed in the input screen 1020.

When the user inputs the intended number of copies into the input screen1020 and then presses an enter key 1021, as illustrated in FIG. 10C, theinput screen 1020 disappears from the operation screen 1000 and a changeof the setting value is reflected in displaying of the task button 1001.In the example illustrated in FIG. 10C, the number of copies in the taskbutton 1001 of “hold printing” is changed from “30 copies” illustratedin FIG. 10A to “1 copy”. Moreover, an icon 1030 indicating a changeditem is displayed in association with the changed setting value “1copy”. This enables the user to readily confirm the changed settingvalue.

When wanting to execute a task with this setting value, the userre-selects the task button 1001 in which the setting value has beenchanged as illustrated in FIG. 10C and then performs a move operation.With this, the changed setting value is displayed again in a pop-upmanner. Then, when the move operation arrives at the start button 1003,the user can issue an instruction to execute a task with the changedsetting value.

Furthermore, a cancel key 1022 is assumed to be pressed with the inputscreen 1020 kept displayed as illustrated in FIG. 10B. In this case, theinput screen 1020 disappears and the slider bar 1002, the start button1003, and the pop-up screen 1011 also disappear, so that the operationscreen 1000 restores to its state obtained before the touch-downoperation is performed.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating control processing which isperformed by the control apparatus 104 according to the third exemplaryembodiment. Furthermore, among processing operations in the controlprocessing illustrated in FIG. 11, the same processing operations as theprocessing operations in the control processing according to the firstexemplary embodiment described with reference to FIG. 6 are assigned therespective same reference numerals. If, in step S604, it is determinedthat the move operation has been performed (YES in step S604), thereception unit 201 advances the processing to step S605, and, on theother hand, if it is determined that the move operation has not beenperformed (NO in step S604), the reception unit 201 advances theprocessing to step S1106. In step S1101, the reception unit 201 checkswhether a touch-up operation has been performed. If it is determinedthat the touch-up operation has been performed (YES in step S1101), thereception unit 201 advances the processing to step S1102. If it isdetermined that the touch-up operation has not been performed (NO instep S1101), the reception unit 201 advances the processing to stepS1106.

In step S1102, the display control unit 202 performs control to displayan input screen for setting values. Moreover, at this time, the displaycontrol unit 202 causes the slider bar and the start button to be grayedout. Here, the input screen is an example of a screen for receiving aninstruction for changing setting values. Next, in step S1103, thereception unit 201 checks whether an instruction for changing settingvalues has been received in response to a user operation. When a settingvalue is input and the enter key 1021 is pressed by the user, thereception unit 201 receives an instruction for changing into the inputsetting value. If it is determined that the instruction for changing hasbeen received (YES in step S1103), the reception unit 201 advances theprocessing to step S1104. If it is determined that no instruction forchanging has been received (NO in step S1103), the reception unit 201advances the processing to step S1105.

In step S1104, the display control unit 202 updates displaying of thetask button 1001. Specifically, the display control unit 202 displaysthe changed setting value in the task button 1001 corresponding to theinstruction for changing and also displays an icon in association withthe changed setting value. Moreover, the display control unit 202 endsdisplaying of the input screen and the slider bar 1002 and the startbutton 1003 which are being grayed out. Moreover, the task control unit203 performs control to change the setting values by transmitting thechanged setting value to the controller 103. Then, the CPU 133 returnsthe processing to step S602. Thus, processing operations in step S602and subsequent steps enable executing a task with the changed settingvalue.

Moreover, in step S1105, the reception unit 201 checks whether a cancelinstruction for setting input has been received. In a case where thecancel key is pressed in the input screen, the reception unit 201receives the cancel instruction. If it is determined that the cancelinstruction has not been received (NO in step S1105), the reception unit201 returns the processing to step S1103. If it is determined that thecancel instruction has been received (YES in step S1105), the receptionunit 201 causes the display control unit 202 to end displaying of theinput screen and the slider bar 1002 and the start button 1003 which arebeing grayed out, and then returns the processing to step S602. Withthis, at the time of processing in step S602, only the task buttons 1001are displayed in the operation screen 1000. Thus, the operation screen1000 restores to its state obtained before the touch-down operation isperformed.

Moreover, in step S1106, the reception unit 201 checks whether theoperation position of the move operation has arrived at the start button303. If it is determined that the operation position has arrived at thestart button 303 (YES in step S1106), the reception unit 201 advancesthe processing to step S1107. If it is determined that the operationposition has not arrived at the start button 303 (NO in step S1106), thereception unit 201 returns the processing to step S604. In step S1107,the task control unit 203 performs control to execute a taskcorresponding to the selected task button. Specifically, the taskcontrol unit 203 issues an execution command to execute the task to thecontroller 103. Then, the control processing ends. Furthermore, theconfigurations and processing operations other than those describedabove of the multifunction peripheral 100 according to the thirdexemplary embodiment are similar to the corresponding configurations andprocessing operations of the multifunction peripherals 100 according tothe other exemplary embodiments.

In this way, in the multifunction peripheral 100 according to thepresent exemplary embodiment, when issuing an instruction for executionof a task, the user not only can confirm the settings of the task butalso can change the setting values and also stop execution of the task.

FIG. 12 is an overall view of an X-ray control system 1200 according toa fourth exemplary embodiment. The X-ray control system 1200 includes acontrol apparatus 1210 and an X-ray examination apparatus 1220. Thecontrol apparatus 1210 and the X-ray examination apparatus 1220 are ableto communicate with each other via a network. The control apparatus 1210includes a touch display 111 and an information processing unit 112, aswith the control apparatus 104 according to the first exemplaryembodiment, and further includes an imaging unit 1211. The imaging unit1211 captures an image. The control apparatus 1210 according to thefourth exemplary embodiment controls execution of a task in the X-rayexamination apparatus 1220.

The control apparatus 1210 prevents a task from being executed inresponse to an unintended touch performed by the user and allows theuser to issue an instruction for execution of a task while sequentiallyconfirming the content of the task, and is, therefore, particularlysuitable for a task considered of consequence. Here, examples of thetask considered of consequence include the following three tasks:

(1) a task a cancellation of which after being executed is difficult orimpossible;

(2) a task the effect of which caused by being executed extends toanother person; and

(3) a task in which the contents (setting values) constituting the taskare wide-ranging.

An example of the task considered of consequence applicable to theabove-mentioned tasks is transmission in the multifunction peripheral100, described in, for example, the first exemplary embodiment.Generally, a cancellation after execution of transmission is difficult,information is known to another person (receiver), and there arewide-ranging settings, such as an addressee, the number of pages to besent, the distinction between one-sided and two-sided documents, and thedata resolution.

Moreover, the task considered of consequence further includes exposureto radiation performed by the X-ray examination apparatus 1220. Theexposure to radiation inevitably causes a subject to be exposed toradiation. Moreover, exposure to X-rays requires wide-ranging settings,such as exposed doses, X-ray component spectra, exposure ranges, andexposure times, according to, for example, examination regions,examination (imaging) directions, and physical builds or constitutionsof subjects.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed onthe touch display 111 of the control apparatus 1210 according to thefourth exemplary embodiment. A task button 1301 is displayed on thetouch display 111, and a slider bar 1302 and a start button 1303 arealso displayed thereon according to a touch-down operation. Moreover, apop-up screen 1311 is also displayed according to a move operation.Furthermore, when the move operation continues and then arrives at thestart button 1303, the control apparatus 1210 issues an executioncommand to execute a task including X-ray exposure.

Moreover, the control apparatus 1210 according to the present exemplaryembodiment performs control to allow execution of a task only in a casewhere the X-ray examination apparatus 1220, which is an executionapparatus for a task targeted for control by the control apparatus 1210,is present within a range able to be viewed by the user of the controlapparatus 1210. Specifically, the control apparatus 1210 is assumed toallow an issuance of an execution command for a task in a case where animage of the X-ray examination apparatus 1220 has been captured by theimaging unit 1211. Then, in a case where the issuance of an executioncommand has been allowed, when an instruction for execution of a taskhas been received according to a user operation in the controlprocessing described with reference to, for example, FIG. 6, the controlapparatus 1210 issues an execution command, thus performing control toexecute a task.

Furthermore, before starting control processing, the control apparatus1210 can output a message for prompting the user to direct the imagingunit 1211 toward the X-ray examination apparatus 1220. Furthermore, thecontrol apparatus 1210 is assumed to previously store the image of theX-ray examination apparatus 1220 and to perform image matching betweenthe stored image and a captured image so as to determine whether thecaptured image is the image of the X-ray examination apparatus 1220.Furthermore, the configurations and processing operations other thanthose described above of the control apparatus 1210 according to thefourth exemplary embodiment are similar to the correspondingconfigurations and processing operations of the multifunctionperipherals 100 according to the other exemplary embodiments.

An instruction for an exposure operation of the X-ray examinationapparatus 1220 can be issued from the portable control apparatus 1210,which is provided as an apparatus separate from the X-ray examinationapparatus 1220, so that an examining technician (operator) is enabled toperform an exposure manipulation while assisting a subject. Therefore,for example, the realization of an examination environment about which asubject can feel safe or the improvement in examination efficiency canbe expected. On the other hand, since an instruction for execution of atask can be issued from a separated place or a separate room, this maycause, for example, a confirmation error. Therefore, in the presentexemplary embodiment, in the above-described way, only in a situation inwhich the user (examining technician) of the control apparatus 1210 isable to view the X-ray examination apparatus 1220, an instruction forexecution of a task is allowed to be issued from the control apparatus1210. In this way, since, only in a case where an execution apparatusfor a task is present within a range viewable by the user, aninstruction for execution of a task is allowed to be issued from thecontrol apparatus 1210, the control apparatus 1210 according to thefourth exemplary embodiment is able to perform execution of a task moresafely.

As a first modification example of the fourth exemplary embodiment, anexecution apparatus for a task serving as a target for such control thatexecution of a task is allowed only in a case where the executionapparatus is present within a range viewable by the user of the controlapparatus 1210 is not limited to an X-ray examination apparatus. Asanother example, the execution apparatus can be, for example, amultifunction peripheral which is an apparatus provided separately froma control apparatus.

As a second example, processing for determining whether the X-rayexamination apparatus 1220 is present within a range viewable by theuser of the control apparatus 1210 is not limited to the processingdescribed in the present exemplary embodiment. As another example, theX-ray examination apparatus 1220 is provided with a light emitting unitand the control apparatus 1210 is provided with a light receiving sensor(including an imaging unit). Then, a configuration in which, when thelight receiving sensor of the control apparatus 1210 has received asignal emitted from the light emitting unit of the X-ray examinationapparatus 1220, the control apparatus 1210 determines that the X-rayexamination apparatus 1220 is present within a range viewable by theuser can be employed.

While the present disclosure has been described above in detail based onvarious exemplary embodiments, the present disclosure s not limited tothese specific exemplary embodiments, but various configurations in therange not departing from the scope of the present disclosure areapplicable. Some of the above-described exemplary embodiments can becombined as appropriate.

The case of supplying a program of software for implementing thefunctions of the above-described exemplary embodiments to a system orapparatus including a computer that executes the program directly or viawired or wireless communication from a recording medium and causing thecomputer to execute the program is also included in the presentdisclosure. Accordingly, program code itself supplied to and installedon a computer to implement control processing in the present disclosurewith the computer also implements the present disclosure. In otherwords, a computer program for implementing control processing in thepresent disclosure is also included in the present disclosure. In thatcase, any form of program, such as object code, a program to be executedby an interpreter, or script data to be supplied to an operating system(OS), can be employed as long as it has the function of a program.

As a recording medium for supplying a program, for example, a magneticrecording medium such as a hard disk or a magnetic tape, an optical ormagneto optical storage medium, or a non-volatile semiconductor memorycan be employed. As a method for supplying a program, such a method asto store a computer program of the present disclosure in a server on acomputer network and cause a connected client computer to download thecomputer program can also be used.

According to the present disclosure, a task intended by the user can beexecuted while, with an efficient and simple operation, the task isprevented from being executed in response to a touch unintended by theuser.

OTHER EMBODIMENTS

Embodiment(s) can also be realized by a computer of a system orapparatus that reads out and executes computer executable instructions(e.g., one or more programs) recorded on a storage medium (which mayalso be referred to more fully as a ‘non-transitory computer-readablestorage medium’) to perform the functions of one or more of theabove-described embodiment(s) and/or that includes one or more circuits(e.g., application specific integrated circuit (ASIC)) for performingthe functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s), andby a method performed by the computer of the system or apparatus by, forexample, reading out and executing the computer executable instructionsfrom the storage medium to perform the functions of one or more of theabove-described embodiment(s) and/or controlling the one or morecircuits to perform the functions of one or more of the above-describedembodiment(s). The computer may comprise one or more processors (e.g.,central processing unit (CPU), micro processing unit (MPU)) and mayinclude a network of separate computers or separate processors to readout and execute the computer executable instructions. The computerexecutable instructions may be provided to the computer, for example,from a network or the storage medium. The storage medium may include,for example, one or more of a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), aread-only memory (ROM), a storage of distributed computing systems, anoptical disk (such as a compact disc (CD), digital versatile disc (DVD),or Blu-ray Disc (BD)™), a flash memory device, a memory card, and thelike.

While exemplary embodiments have been described, it is to be understoodthat the disclosure is not limited to the disclosed exemplaryembodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded thebroadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications andequivalent structures and functions.

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No.2017-186612 filed Sep. 27, 2017, which is hereby incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

What is claimed is:
 1. An information processing apparatus comprising: atouch display; and at least one processor configured to function as: adisplay control unit configured to perform control to display, on thetouch display, a first graphical user interface (GUI) corresponding to atask and to display, on the touch display, a second GUI related toexecution of the task in a case where a touch-down operation on thefirst GUI has been performed, and to perform control, in a case where acontinuing operation on the second GUI has been started following thetouch-down operation, to sequentially display, on the touch display, aplurality of pop-up screens showing setting values different in typewith respect to the task based on an amount of continuation of thecontinuing operation until the continuing operation is completed; and atask control unit configured to perform control to execute the task withdisplayed setting values in a case where the continuing operation on thesecond GUI has been completed and not to execute the task in a casewhere a touch-up operation has been performed before the continuingoperation is completed, wherein the second GUI is a slider bar.
 2. Theinformation processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the firstGUI is a button image indicating the task.
 3. The information processingapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the continuing operation is amovement operation to move an operation element on the touch display,and wherein the second GUI is an image indicating a path of thecontinuing operation.
 4. The information processing apparatus accordingto claim 3, wherein the display control unit performs control to displaya plurality of first GUIs corresponding to respective different tasks,and to display the second GUI with a path differing between a case wherea touch-down operation on a first GUI corresponding to a first task hasbeen performed and a case where a touch-down operation on a first GUIcorresponding to a second task different from the first task has beenperformed.
 5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3,wherein the display control unit performs control to sequentiallydisplay the path based on movement of a touch position.
 6. Theinformation processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein theamount of continuation is an amount of movement.
 7. The informationprocessing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the amount ofcontinuation is a duration time.
 8. The information processing apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the display control unit performs controlto display a screen for receiving an instruction for changing of thesetting value in a case where a touch-up operation has been performedwhen the setting value is being displayed, and wherein, in a case wherethe instruction for changing of the setting value has been received, thetask control unit changes the setting value of the task based on theinstruction for changing.
 9. The information processing apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the task includes data transmission to beperformed by a multifunction peripheral.
 10. The information processingapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the task includes at least onefunction of an exposure to be performed by an X-ray examinationapparatus.
 11. The information processing apparatus according to claim1, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to functionas an imaging unit, wherein, in a case where the imaging unit hascaptured an image of an execution apparatus that executes the task, thetask control unit performs control to execute the task when thecontinuing operation has completed.
 12. A control method comprising: adisplay control process of performing control to display, on a touchdisplay, a first graphical user interface (GUI) corresponding to a taskand to display, on the touch display, a second GUI related to executionof the task in a case where a touch-down operation on the first GUI hasbeen performed, and performing control, in a case where a continuingoperation has started following the touch-down operation, tosequentially display, on the touch display, a plurality of pop-upscreens showing setting values different in type with respect to thetask based on an amount of continuation of the continuing operationuntil the continuing operation is completed; and a task control processof performing control to execute the task with displayed setting valuesin a case where the continuing operation on the second GUI has beencompleted and not to execute the task in a case where a touch-upoperation has been performed before the continuing operation iscompleted, wherein the second GUI is a slider bar.
 13. The controlmethod according to claim 12, wherein the continuing operation is amovement operation to move an operation element on the touch display,and wherein the second GUI is an image indicating a path of thecontinuing operation.
 14. The control method according to claim 13,wherein the display control process includes performing control todisplay a plurality of first GUIs corresponding to respective differenttasks, and to display the second GUI with a path differing between acase where a touch-down operation on a first GUI corresponding to afirst task has been performed and a case where a touch-down operation ona first GUI corresponding to a second task different from the first taskhas been performed.
 15. The control method according to claim 13,wherein the display control process includes performing control tosequentially display the path based on movement of a touch position. 16.The control method according to claim 12, wherein the display controlprocess includes performing control to display a screen for receiving aninstruction for changing of the setting value in a case where a touch-upoperation has been performed when the setting value is being displayed,and wherein, in a case where the instruction for changing of the settingvalue has been received, the task control process includes changing thesetting value of the task according to the instruction for changing. 17.The control method according to claim 12, wherein the task includes datatransmission to be performed by a multifunction peripheral.
 18. Thecontrol method according to claim 12, wherein the task includes at leastone function of an exposure to be performed by an X-ray examinationapparatus.
 19. The control method according to claim 12, furthercomprising an imaging process, wherein, in a case where an image of anexecution apparatus that executes the task has been captured by theimaging process, the task control process includes performing control toexecute the task when the continuing operation has completed.
 20. Anon-transitory computer-readable storage medium storingcomputer-executable instructions that, when executed by a computer,cause the computer to perform a method comprising: a display controlprocess of performing control to display, on a touch display, a firstgraphical user interface (GUI) corresponding to a task and to display,on the touch display, a second GUI related to the task in a case where atouch-down operation on the first GUI has been performed, and performingcontrol, in a case where a continuing operation has started followingthe touch-down operation, to sequentially display, on the touch display,a plurality of pop-up screens showing setting values different in typewith respect to the task based on an amount of continuation of thecontinuing operation until the continuing operation is completed; and atask control process of performing control to execute the task withdisplayed setting values in a case where the continuing operation on thesecond GUI has been completed and not to execute the task in a casewhere a touch-up operation has been performed before the continuingoperation is completed, wherein the second GUI is a slider bar.